FORD POSTS 2011 PRE-TAX OPERATING PROFIT OF $8.8 BILLION; ONE-TIME SPECIAL ITEMS CONTRIBUTE TO $20.2 BILLION NET INCOME+
Ford Media

• Full year pre-tax operating profit was $8.8 billion, or $1.51 per share, an increase of $463 million from a year ago
• Full year net income was $20.2 billion, or $4.94 per share, an increase of $13.7 billion, or $3.28 per share, from a year ago. Net income includes a favorable one-time, non-cash special item of $12.4 billion from release of almost all of the valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets in the fourth quarter
• Fourth quarter pre-tax operating profit was $1.1 billion, or 20 cents per share, a decrease of $189 million from fourth quarter 2010. Ford has posted a pre-tax operating profit for 10 consecutive quarters
• Fourth quarter net income was $13.6 billion, or $3.40 per share, a $13.4 billion increase from fourth quarter 2010. As noted, one-time special items positively affected net income
• Automotive pre-tax operating profit was $586 million for the fourth quarter and $6.3 billion for the full year, an increase of $1 billion from full year 2010
• Ford Credit reported a pre-tax operating profit of $506 million for the fourth quarter and $2.4 billion for the full year, a decrease of $650

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Ford throws a wrench in the midsize sedan segment.
www.FordInsideNews.com
January 12, 2012
By: Nick Saporito

The midsize sedan segment isn’t exactly a cakewalk to compete in. In fact, with near 20-year leads by Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, if you’re an American automaker, this segment is even less of a cakewalk. That isn’t to say Detroit hasn’t been churning out competitive midsizers—they have—but the 2013 Fusion isn’t competitive, it’s the first Detroit midsizer to leapfrog everything else in the segment.

Rumors of the 2013 Fusion have been running through the industry press for the last several months. It has almost been like a constant evolving tale of greatness, with rumors of how the Fusion is a “game changer” and will “wipe the floor with the competition.” Seriously, before most even saw this car it was something of legend. Then, of course, we saw it this week and the rumors were largely validated.

At first glance the new Fusion looks nothing like the previous two iterations of the sedan, which is a good thing. The razor-like grille has been ditched and replaced by a daring, octagonal grille that would look right at home on an Aston Martin. Flanking either side of the... [Read More]

MKZ Concept, Lincoln display provide positive indicators for future of Lincoln.
www.FordInsideNews.com
January 11, 2012
By: Nick Saporito
Images: Alex Villani

Ford Motor Company has been rather coy about the fairly extensive overhaul they are currently carrying out with regards to their Lincoln luxury brand. While the recently introduced refreshed MKS and MKT are slight previews of the brand’s revitalization, the MKZ is the whole enchilada of the direction Lincoln will be taking. While the car itself is an encouraging sign, just the Lincoln display itself provides new hope to a long-lost brand.

Historically at auto shows Ford has simply notched out a small corner within the Ford brand display for Lincoln. There was usually a black wall somewhere with the Lincoln insignia and name on it, followed by other black elements in an overall package that reeked of a neglected brand. That changed in a big way at this year’s Detroit show, with Lincoln consuming sizable real estate with a display that was arguably one of the best at the show.

With warm colors and an art-deco theme that was very modern, yet provided a friendly nod to retro design, the display was a perfect homage... [Read More]